Sherwood Park home front yard transformed into 'under the sea' ice palace to raise awareness for endangered marine life

Sherwood Park home front yard transformed into 'under the sea' ice palace to raise awareness for endangered marine life

Dustin Cook

Published on: March 7, 2019 | Last Updated: March 7, 2019 3:00 AM MST

Carver Kelly Davies works on the ice artwork he hopes will raise awareness of plastic pollution in the ocean outside of his home at 394 Nottingham Blvd. in Sherwood Park, on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.Ian Kucerak / Postmedia

The front yard of a Sherwood Park home is being transformed into an ice palace with the goal of delivering an important message about life under the sea — before an approaching spring melt on land.

For the fifth straight year, professional carver Kelly Davies is working on a giant ice slide for the Nottingham neighbourhood children to play on as the frigid winter begins to wind down. But as much as the winter wonderland is supposed to provide enjoyment, Davies and his family are hoping their theme of “undersea grotto” will raise awareness about plastic pollution harming marine life.

“We know that there will be some traction so it’s important for us that the attraction is geared toward being plastic aware,” Davies said Tuesday afternoon before heading out into the cold to put the finishing touches on a snow carving of frolicking dolphins. “We’re committed to this. We need to do something about this plastic problem. If everybody doesn’t make a little change, we’re in a world of trouble.”

The family reached out to B.C.-based Ocean Wise and will include information from the organization in the display to raise awareness for its #BePlasticWise initiative, as well as offer pledge cards informing the public how they can help make a difference.

The idea arose after a family trip in early February to Vancouver and a seminar about plastics ending up in the ocean.

“My oldest daughter, something clicked inside her to the point where she was telling her mom, who’s a scientist, that she’d like to be a marine biologist,” Davies said.

So the twisting slide features the most endangered marine animals, including sea turtles and jellyfish, surrounded by coral and algae to give the deep-sea feel — all made of ice.

Other than the theme, Davies said the biggest difference in this year’s slide was the frigid conditions he had to work in constantly throughout February.

“Not so much in terms of coldness, but duration,” he said. “It was too cold even for me. There was no reason to be outside, I wasn’t going outside.”

But with a few breaks in the frigid temperatures, Davies said the trip under water is ready for visitors and with warmer weather on the way, will try to preserve it as long as possible.

“This isn’t just for us, it’s to share,” he said. “I’d put it in the backyard if we wanted to keep it for us.”